CYCLE MUSIC #14
RM
“Bicycle”

The column series “CYCLE MUSIC” introduces a little bicycle-related music each time. This time, I’d like to write about the solo track “Bicycle” by RM, the leader of the hugely popular South Korean group BTS, who is also a hip-hop MC, singer-songwriter, and producer. I’m sure many people know far more about BTS than I do, and I feel quite apologetic for not being very familiar with them. That said, I was deeply moved by this song, which was released as part of the “2021 BTS FESTA”.

The track has a laid-back groove led by beautiful guitar cutting—something I’d even recommend to Free Soul fans. It carries a slightly melancholic and sentimental melody. The chorus refrain, “When you’re sad, ride a bicycle”, is incredibly moving, creating a song with a personal, almost autobiographical charm—undoubtedly one of the finest bicycle-themed songs, crafted by a global superstar.

RM, who says he always feels a sense of excitement and the utmost freedom when riding a bicycle, had long wanted to create a song about cycling. As it happens, “Bicycle” was composed while he rode around freely, completely absorbed in cycling, finishing both the melody and the lyrics. In particular, the lyrics, which he hummed to himself while riding at the weekends, are profoundly touching—whether sung or rapped, they are impossible to ignore. The album cover, featuring a simple sketch of a bicycle, also has a lovely, understated charm.
So, when you’re feeling sad, why not hop on your bicycle? I know I already do.

RM “Bicycle”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uq3P7zeYyU



♬CYCLE MUSIC STORAGE♬
#01 The Style Council “My Ever Changing Moods”
#02 Cordelia “Play Pretend”
#03 Corinne Bailey Rae “Put Your Records On”
#04 Georgie Fame ”Happiness”
#05 Alulu Paranhos “Bicicletinha”
#06 Motoharu Sano “Angelina”
#07 B.J. Thomas “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head”
#08 The Smiths “This Charming Man”
#09 Dominic Miller “Bicycle”
#10 NewJeans “Bubble Gum”
#11 Tank and the Bangas “Smoke.Netflix.Chill.”
#12 Kraftwerk “Tour de France”
#13 Livingston Taylor “Don’t Let Me Lose This Dream”
#14 RM “Bicycle”
#15 Norah Jones “Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones)”


Profile

Toru Hashimoto (SUBURBIA)
Editor / Music Selector / DJ / Producer. Founder of Suburbia Factory. Owner of Shibuya’s “Cafe Apres-midi” and “Apres-midi Selecao.” Over 350 compilation CDs, including series like ‘Free Soul,’ ‘Mellow Beats,’ ‘Cafe Apres-midi,’ ‘Jazz Supreme,’ ‘Music With A View,’ and many others, have been curated, making him the world’s foremost selector. He oversees and produces music broadcast channels “usen for Cafe Apres-midi” and “usen for Free Soul” on USEN, wielding significant influence in Japanese music scene since the 1990s. In recent years, his ‘Good Mellows’ series with a focus on mellow chillout has gained great popularity both domestically and internationally.

Art Work_spoken words project

CULTURE
CYCLE MUSIC #13
Livingston Taylor
“Don’t Let Me Lose This Dream”

The regular column “CYCLE MUSIC” delivers a short essay each time about bicycles and music. This time, I’d like to introduce the 1996 album “Bicycle” by folk singer-songwriter Livingston Taylor, whose gentle and heartwarming voice, along with his rich guitar sound, leave a lasting impression. Livingston Taylor, commonly known as “Liv”, is the third of five siblings from the famous Taylor musical family, which includes the renowned James Taylor, Kate Taylor, and Alex Taylor. Since releasing his self-titled debut album in 1970, he has consistently put out new works, and he has also been a professor at the prestigious Berklee College of Music since 1989. That being said, his music l […]

#Bicycle
CULTURE
CYCLE MUSIC #15
Norah Jones
“Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones)”

The “CYCLE MUSIC” series, where I’ve shared brief columns about bicycles and my favourite music, reaches its 15th instalment, marking a natural break. From the next issue, it will be reborn under the title “Music Cycles Around The World”, with a focus on “city music,” inspired by the idea of travelling the world through both music and cycling. While I had originally intended to recommend this masterpiece back in December, symbolising the “perfect harmony between bicycles and music,” I missed the opportunity. So, as a fitting conclusion, allow me to introduce it now. It’s Norah Jones’ “Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones).&#82 […]

#Norah Jones
CULTURE
CYCLE MUSIC #03
Corinne Bailey Rae
“Put Your Records On”

Alongside “My Ever Changing Moods” by The Style Council, which I introduced in the first installment of this column two months ago, one of the most memorable music videos featuring cycling that comes to mind is “Put Your Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae, the singer-songwriter born in Leeds, UK, in 1979. I can’t forget the fresh excitement I felt the first time I watched this music video. It was reminiscent of the bittersweet feeling I experienced when I watched early short films by François Truffaut (his films often feature memorable bicycle scenes) during my younger days.

#Column #Music